From:
Francis Baily
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[20 March 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 3.240
Summary:
Further regarding the constellations.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
Further regarding the constellations.
Encloses a draft of a letter that it is proposed should be sent to Sir Robert Peel.
Accepts his invitation to visit him in order to discuss various matters.
Invitation to come to Collingwood to discuss star arrangements.
Has sent note to the Times about the comet.
Newspaper noted Caroline Herschel's 93rd birthday. Requests copy of William Herschel's portrait. Gives address of London relative, Charles Stonhouse, who can copy it. Would JH sit for portrait there also? What did JH decide about 'our comet'?
Comments on confusion between observing comet and zodiacal light. Extensive comments on various materials used in a photographic process where negatives change to positives over long time.
Zodiacal light is a real phenomenon. Further comments on negative to positive process. Questions whether WT can define one cometary orbit with two observations.
Reports where to observe the comet [Great Comet of 1843] just becoming visible.
Reports where to observe the comet [Great Comet of 1843], its head having now become visible.
Reports observing on 17 March a long, thin cloudy streak that moved with the stars. [P.S. of 18 March concludes the object is a comet [Great Comet of 1843].]
Argues against the view that what JH has taken to be the tail of a comet [Great Comet of 1843] is actually due to the zodiacal light.
Reports that a very prominent comet [Great Comet of 1843] is coming into view.
Gives latest observations of the comet [Great Comet of 1843]. Predicts head will soon be visible.
Sending the deeds and the schedule. Please send notice of receipt.
JDH writes to his Father from HMS 'Erebus'. He reports that the expedition reached 71 degrees South on Mar 5, further south than anyone except Weddell. JDH recounts the details of the cruise, recording the latititude & conditions on dates from 17 Dec [1842] to 29 Mar [1843]. The expedition sailed via Berkeley Sound, Cape Pembroke, Clarence Island & South Shetlands. Throughout the letter JDH describes sailing in pack ice, bergs & floes. Saw: white Chionis, Petrels, Finner whales, Macrocystis seaweed, confervoid remains, seals & penguins. Encountered land previously charted under different names by D'Urville & Weddel: Terre Louis Philippe, Terre Joinville & Hope Island near Point Francaise. JDH describes & illustrates a new Sargassum collected by HMS 'Terror'. Describes the appearacnce & geology of land & islands seen, especially one unamed 'conical' island where JDH collected specimens of the most southerly plants incl Ulva crispa & Desmarestia aculeata; the only Antarctic & Arctic plants, & an algae he will name after his godfather Dalton. Received gifts from Her Majesty Queen Victoria. On 5 Feb sailed further South than D'Urville, their course was similar to Bellinghausen's. He describes the extreme boredom, discomfort, anxiety & danger of Antarctic exploration. Only Captain Ross JDH & possibly McCormick care about the science of the expedition, for the men there is no entertainment. Continues to recount their travels south through Mar until they could go no further. Re-crossed the Anatarctic circle 11 Mar heading for Cape Circumcision, Bouvet Island but could not find it. Describes a Lamaria, possibly D'urvillea utilis, collected Latitude 43, & compares it with other algae: Himanthalia & Ecklonia. At the Cape they will anchor at Simon's Bay. JDH will collect Cryptogamia & phenogamiae there & visit Mr Jardine & Baron Ludwig in Cape Town. JDH discusses preapring his Campbell Island mosses for publication. Mentions classification of Southern Gymostoma. Discusses Endlicher & Leary's clasfication of Musci & refers to Fries, Brown & Berkeley. Discusses his work on lichens, Flora of Falklands & geographical distribution of Antarctic plants. Mentions the lack of young British botanists. Commments on Smith & WJH's work on ferns. JDH believes a Stegamia from Kerguelen Islands to be the most Antarctic fern. Discusses his hopes for Captain Vidal & Watson's work on plant distribution. JDH thinks the difference in Falkland & Fuegian flora can be explained by his climatic observations. Mentions Prince Albert's interest in the expedition. JDH has collected some rocks from icebergs for Lyell. En route to Rio [de Janeiro] he will return to the study of marine animals. Working with a microscope & the harsh conditions in the ice have taxed JDH's eyes. The men of the 'Terror' have bred a cat for JDH's sister Bessy. Mentions his dog Skye at home. JDH discusses his finances, WJH's new journal & plans for RBG Kew as a public institution vs private royal garden.
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